Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME1958
2003-05-07 13:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

G8 ACTIONS PROPOSED BY WORLD FOOD PROGRAM RELATED

Tags:  EAID AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR UN WFP 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 001958 

SIPDIS


AIDAC

FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR U/S LARSON, A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/WE,
IO/EDA SWINNICK, E FOR CPENCE
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS AND JBRAUSE, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR UN WFP
SUBJECT: G8 ACTIONS PROPOSED BY WORLD FOOD PROGRAM RELATED
TO PREVENTING AND MITIGATING FOOD CRISES IN SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICA

REF: (A) ROME 1511, (B) ROME 1268, (C) STATE 68141

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
NOT SUITABLE FOR INTERNET POSTING.

-------
SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 001958

SIPDIS


AIDAC

FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR U/S LARSON, A/S PRM DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/WE,
IO/EDA SWINNICK, E FOR CPENCE
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS AND RTILSWORTH
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS AND JBRAUSE, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ
GENEVA FOR RMA
BRUSSELS FOR USEU
NSC FOR JDWORKEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID AORC PREF EAGR ECON KUNR UN WFP
SUBJECT: G8 ACTIONS PROPOSED BY WORLD FOOD PROGRAM RELATED
TO PREVENTING AND MITIGATING FOOD CRISES IN SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICA

REF: (A) ROME 1511, (B) ROME 1268, (C) STATE 68141

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.
NOT SUITABLE FOR INTERNET POSTING.

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (SBU) US MISSION HAS RECEIVED A WFP EXPANDED TEXT
BUILDING ON REMARKS MADE BY WFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JAMES
MORRIS TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL ON APRIL 7 - REGARDING
SUGGESTED STEPS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN TAKE
NOW RELATED TO THE SERIOUS FOOD CRISES ENGULFING MUCH OF SUB-
SAHARAN AFRICA. IN US MISSION'S VIEW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF
"QUICK WINS" IN THESE WFP PROPOSALS, I.E., THE ABILITY TO
MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH MODEST INVESTMENTS. WITH SOME
38-40 MILLION AFRICANS IN 2003 LIVING WITH THE THREAT OF
STARVATION AND ANOTHER 156 MILLION WHO SUFFER QUIETLY THIS
YEAR FROM CHRONIC HUNGER, THE EVIAN G8 SUMMIT PRESENTS A
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CEMENT A BROADER POLITICAL COMMITMENT
ON THE ISSUE OF AFRICAN HUNGER. END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
TEXT OF WFP PROPOSAL FOR G8 CONSIDERATION RELATED TO
PREVENTING AND MITIGATING FOOD CRISES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA:
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) BEGIN WFP TEXT. "RECURRING FOOD CRISES IN SUB-
SAHARAN AFRICA ARE AMONG THE FORMIDABLE CHALLENGES FACING
THE WORLD COMMUNITY TODAY. EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS,
CONFLICT, FAILED ECONOMIC POLICIES, AND THE DEVASTATING
IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS HAVE COMBINED TO CREATE MASSIVE NEEDS
REQUIRING URGENT ACTION. THE DRAMA SURROUNDING RECENT SHORT-
TERM CRISES OBSCURES THE MORE 'SILENT' DISASTERS SUCH AS
CHRONIC CHILD MALNUTRITION AND LACK OF EDUCATION THAT
UNDERMINE THE POTENTIAL OF AFRICA'S MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE -

ITS CHILDREN.

ABOUT 196 MILLION AFRICANS ARE UNDERNOURISHED, WITH OVER 40
MILLION NOW SUFFERING SEVERE FOOD SHORTAGES. THEY NEED
IMMEDIATE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, AS WELL AS PROGRAMMES TO
IMPROVE CHILD HEALTH, TRAIN AND EDUCATE WORKFORCES, REDUCE
THE VULNERABILITY OF PEOPLE TO DISASTERS AND PROMOTE
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION. HOWEVER, MONEY ALONE IS NOT A
GUARANTOR OF SUCCESS. AFRICAN LEADERS WILL NEED TO COMMIT
TO BUILDING DEMOCRATIC NATIONS WITH LEADERS WHO ARE
ACCOUNTABLE TO THEIR CITIZENS AND TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT
SOUND POLICIES THAT DRAW PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND PROMOTE
ECONOMIC GROWTH. THEY MUST ALSO COMMIT MORE OF THEIR OWN
RESOURCES IN AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION AND SAFETY NETS FOR
VULNERABLE GROUPS.

THE NEPAD INITIATIVE IS AN EXCELLENT SIGN OF THE POSITIVE
COMMITMENT AMONG SOME AFRICAN LEADERS TOWARDS THE
CONTINENT'S DEVELOPMENT. IT DESERVES THE FULL SUPPORT OF G8
MEMBERS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION. MOREOVER, THE
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND THE G8 AFRICA ACTION PLAN
PROVIDE FRAMEWORKS FOR EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH AFRICA TO
PROMOTE PEACE, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT - ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS
FOR CRISIS PREVENTION AND RESPONSE.

PREVENTING AND RESPONDING EFFECTIVELY TO FOOD CRISES IN
AFRICA WILL REQUIRE INITIATIVES INVOLVING A RANGE OF ACTORS.
FOR INSTANCE, INEQUITIES IN TRADE THAT WORK AGAINST THE
AFRICAN FARMER AND CREATE DISINCENTIVES FOR AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTION WILL NEED TO BE REVERSED. THIS WILL REQUIRE
SOUND NATIONAL AND GLOBAL TRADE POLICIES, IMPROVED
AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY, SKILLS AND INPUTS AND INVESTMENTS

ROME 00001958 002 OF 005

PRODUCED. ALSO, THE G8
SHOULD REINVIGORATE ITS POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT WITH AFRICA,
CONSISTENT WITH ITS COMMITMENTS IN KANANASKIS, TO HELP
RESOLVE EXISTING CONFLICTS AND PREVENT NEW ONES.

THIS PAPER CONTAINS A NUMBER OF NEAR TERM AND SPECIFIC IDEAS
ON WHAT WFP AND ITS PARTNERS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
CAN DO AS PART OF THIS BROADER STRATEGY, TO MAKE EMERGENCY
RESPONSES TO FOOD CRISES MORE EFFECTIVE AND BUILD THE
CAPACITY OF AFRICAN NATIONS THEMSELVES TO PREVENT THEM.


I. IMMEDIATE AND FEASIBLE ACTIONS

(A) FULLY FUND CURRENT HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMS

WFP'S EXISTING REQUIREMENTS ALREADY FALL SHORT OF TOTAL
NEEDS IN AFRICA. AS OF APRIL 2003, WFP NEEDED AN ADDITIONAL
U.S. DOLLARS 1 BILLION TO PURCHASE AND DISTRIBUTE SOME 1.9
MILLION TONS OF EMERGENCY FOOD AID TO CRISIS-AFFECTED
AFRICANS. WFP'S TOTAL AFRICA PORTFOLIO FOR EMERGENCIES
STANDS AT AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF USD 1.8 BILLION,
EQUIVALENT TO THE TOTAL RESOURCES WFP RECEIVED WORLD-WIDE
FOR ALL PROJECTS AND OPERATIONS IN 2002. (NOTE: UPDATED WFP
FIGURES WILL BE AVAILABLE ON MAY 9. END NOTE.) TO MAXIMIZE
EFFECTIVENESS, THE LONGER-TERM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF WFP
AND OTHER UN AGENCIES IN WATER, SANITATION, HEALTH,
AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS ALSO DESERVE INCREASED
SUPPORT.

(B) `TWINNING.' - FACILITATE FOOD AID DONATIONS FROM NEW
DONORS

SUBSTANTIAL FOOD SURPLUSES EXIST IN SOME DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING FOOD AID DONORS,
BUT MOST LACK THE ASSOCIATED CASH TO PAY FOR FOOD DELIVERY
AND DISTRIBUTION. G8 AND OTHER DONORS COULD HELP DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES BECOME FOOD AID DONORS BY ESTABLISHING A FUND TO
MATCH COMMODITY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM EMERGING DONORS WITH THE
ASSOCIATED CASH FOR TRANSPORT, STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND
MANAGEMENT OF DONATED COMMODITIES. CASH CONTRIBUTIONS MADE
IN THIS WAY CAN LEVERAGE CONSIDERABLY MORE FOOD AID FOR
HUNGRY PEOPLE. FOR EXAMPLE, A CASH CONTRIBUTION OF U.S.
DOLLARS 20 MILLION COULD LEVERAGE A DONATION OF 100,000
METRIC TONS FROM SOUTH AFRICA FOR DROUGHT VICTIMS IN ZAMBIA.
THIS TRANSACTION WOULD OTHERWISE COST AROUND U.S. DOLLARS 40
MILLION. OUR SPECIFIC PROPOSAL IS TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL
FUND WITHIN WFP NAMED `THE G-8 FUND FOR EMERGING DONORS'.
THE FUND WOULD BE FINANCED BY G-8 MEMBERS BUT NON-G-8
MEMBERS WOULD BE INVITED TO CONTRIBUTE. THE FUND COULD BE
ESTABLISHED AT USD 500 MILLION, WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT
ONE QUARTER OF WFP'S EXPENDITURE IN 2002. (NOTE. IT WOULD
ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO CONSIDER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
ENDOWMENT FUND. AN ENDOWMENT WOULD INVOLVE MUCH LARGER
INITIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT POOR
INVESTMENT CLIMATE. IT WOULD, HOWEVER, REDUCE THE NEED FOR
REGULAR REPLENISHMENT. END NOTE.) THE FUND WOULD BE
SEPARATELY MANAGED AND ACCOUNTED FOR BY WFP; AND IT WOULD BE
SUBJECT TO AUDIT ACCORDING TO WFP'S FINANCIAL REGULATIONS.

(C) IMPROVE THE CAPACITY FOR EARLY RESPONSE

A KEY TO SAVING LIVES AND REDUCING FUTURE NEEDS IN A CRISIS
IS TO RESPOND EARLY, BEFORE PEOPLE SELL THEIR ASSETS OR GO
INTO DEBT, MAKING THEMSELVES EVEN MORE VULNERABLE IN THE
FUTURE. WFP ALREADY HAS A MECHANISM IN PLACE TO PROVIDE
FUNDING FOR THE EARLIEST PHASES OF AN OPERATION, A REVOLVING
AND REPLENISHABLE FUND CALLED THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ACCOUNT
(IRA). HOWEVER, THIS USD 35 MILLION FUND, ESTABLISHED SOME

ROME 00001958 003 OF 005

OVER ONLY TWO WEEKS WORTH OF
FOOD IN OUR CURRENT EMERGENCY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. WHAT WE
NOW NEED IS A USD 300 MILLION AFRICAN FOOD EMERGENCY FUND,
WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FAST ACCESS TO CASH AT THE OUTSET OF A
FOOD CRISIS. THIS WOULD VASTLY STRENGTHEN THE SPEED WITH
WHICH WFP CAN RESPOND, ALLOWING WFP TO BUY FOOD
LOCALLY/REGIONALLY, HIRE TRANSPORT, SET UP COMMUNICATIONS
AND FILL BREAKS IN FOOD AID PIPELINES. WE WOULD ENCOURAGE
OTHER UN AGENCIES TO SEEK SIMILAR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE
ACCOUNTS FOR AFRICA AS WE HAVE REPEATEDLY SEEN THAT
DONATIONS TO MEET NON FOOD NEEDS - CLEAN WATER, MEDICINES,
SEEDS - MATERIALISE AT AN EVEN SLOWER RATE THAN THOSE FOR
FOOD.

(D) ESTABLISH A FAMINE RISK INSURANCE SCHEME

DONORS TEND TO CONTRIBUTE GENERALLY TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE,
BUT THEIR DONATIONS TRICKLE IN OVER THE LIFE-TIME OF A
PROJECT, CAUSING PLANNING PROBLEMS AND BREAKS IN THE FOOD
PIPELINE. WFP IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING A "FAMINE RISK
INSURANCE SCHEME", WHICH WOULD SHIFT THE BURDEN OF RISK -
CAUSED BY UNEVEN FUNDING COMMITMENTS AND THE LACK OF
NATIONAL INSURANCE -- FROM CRISIS-AFFECTED BENEFICIARIES TO
WFP AND ITS DONORS. A FAMINE RISK INSURANCE SCHEME WOULD
INVOLVE UP-FRONT FUNDING, BY WFP, TO ITS COUNTRY OFFICES ON
THE BASIS OF A CALCULATION OF THE "NET PRESENT VALUE" OF AN
EMERGENCY PROJECT. IF WFP NEEDED TO BORROW FUNDS TO
FACILITATE THIS, IT WOULD REQUEST THE WORLD BANK TO ISSUE
DISCOUNT NOTES, OR "HUNGER BONDS", WHICH WOULD BE
SUBSEQUENTLY REPLENISHED THROUGH CASH AND IN-KIND
COMMITMENTS. DONORS, INCLUDING THE G-8, COULD PROVIDE
OVERSIGHT THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS AND ACT AS A RE-INSURER OF
WFP, PLEDGING TO STEP IN SHOULD WFP NOT BE ABLE TO MEET ITS
DEBT-SERVICING REQUIREMENTS, WHICH WOULD PERMIT WFP TO
BORROW AT THE SAME ADVANTAGEOUS RATES AS THE WORLD BANK.

II. STEPS TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HUNGER AND FOOD AID
REQUIREMENTS.

(E) STRENGTHEN ANALYSIS OF VULNERABILITY AND FOOD INSECURITY

MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS, WFP
AND DONORS PINPOINT THE PEOPLE MOST VULNERABLE TO HUNGER AND
DETERMINE WHETHER FOOD AID IS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO
THEIR NEEDS. AN INVESTMENT OF USD 5 MILLION COULD HELP
EXPAND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS AND MAPPING (VAM) TO 13
ADDITIONAL COUNTRIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. THIS WOULD
INCLUDE UPDATING VAM WORK ALREADY DONE IN SEVEN COUNTRIES
AND BUILDING VAM CAPACITY WITHIN NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS,
ENHANCING THEIR EFFORTS TO CONDUCT FOOD SECURITY
ASSESSMENTS, ANALYSIS AND PLANNING. WFP'S VAM UNITS WORK
CLOSELY WITH FAO'S GLOBAL INFORMATION EARLY WARNING SYSTEM
AND USAID'S FAMINE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM NETWORK AND DRAW ON
A RANGE OF INFORMATION FROM SATELLITE IMAGERY OF RAINFALL
AND CROP CONDITIONS TO COMMUNITY-LEVEL MONITORING OF MARKET
FOOD PRICES.

(F) IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF RISKS

WFP AND PARTNERS WOULD DEVELOP A BROADER ANALYTICAL
FRAMEWORK THAT INCORPORATES THE RANGE OF HAZARDS (DROUGHT,
FLOOD, CONFLICT, HIV/AIDS PREVALENCE, ETC.) THAT CONTRIBUTE
TO FAMINE AND IDENTIFY HIGH-RISK AREAS. IN ADDITION, THEY
WOULD BUILD NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CAPACITY TO
TRACK THE IMPACT OF DIFFERENT HAZARDS OVER TIME.

(G) SUPPORT RELIABLE AND TIMELY EMERGENCY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS

ROME 00001958 004 OF 005

GET FOOD AND OTHER
ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN CRISIS. AN ESTIMATED USD 3 MILLION
WOULD HELP TO STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGIES,
PROVIDE TRAINING FOR NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
BODIES AND ESTABLISH A SYSTEM TO COMPARE NEEDS WITHIN SUB-
SAHARAN AFRICA. OVER TWO YEARS, THIS PROCESS WOULD SEEK TO
BUILD CONSENSUS AMONG INTERNATIONAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL
BODIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENTS AND, ON
THAT BASIS, REVISE EMERGENCY NEEDS ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES TO
BETTER INTEGRATE MICRO (HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY),MACRO
(NATIONAL FOOD GAP AND MARKET),LIVELIHOOD AND NUTRITION
ANALYSIS. IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE DEVELOPING A SYSTEM THAT
TRACKS AND COMPARES EMERGENCY FOOD AID NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA COUNTRIES.

III. MEASURES TO ENHANCE EARLY EARNING AND PREPAREDNESS IN
AFRICA

(H) EARLY WARNING AND PREPAREDNESS ARE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS FOR
QUICK AND TARGETED RESPONSES. KEY PARTNERS IN EARLY WARNING
AND PREPAREDNESS INCLUDE AFRICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND
REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS, WFP, FAO, USAID'S FAMINE EARLY
WARNING SYSTEM NETWORK (FEWSNET) AND SPECIALIZED
INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE
FOR CLIMATE PREDICTION, THE UN WORLD METEOROLOGICAL
ORGANIZATION AND THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION. A RELATIVELY SMALL INVESTMENT OF USD 7.5
MILLION OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD, WITH ANNUAL RUNNING COSTS OF
USD 1 MILLION, WOULD PERMIT WFP AND ITS PARTNERS TO IMPROVE
AFRICAN EARLY WARNING AND PREPAREDNESS SYSTEMS, AND ENSURE
LINKAGES AMONG THESE SYSTEMS.

(I) REVIEW EXISTING EARLY WARNING AND RESPONSE SYSTEMS

WFP AND PARTNERS WOULD REVIEW AND ASSESS EXISTING NATIONAL
AND REGIONAL RESOURCES, CAPACITIES AND PRACTICES IN EARLY
WARNING, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE, WHICH VARY CONSIDERABLE
WITHIN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. THIS WOULD INCLUDE MAPPING
RESOURCES AND CAPACITIES, COLLECTING BEST PRACTICES, AND
DEVELOPING COMMON OPERATIONAL STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES. IT
WOULD ALSO INCLUDE REVIEWING NATIONAL STRATEGIC GRAIN
RESERVES AND THE SYSTEMS IN PLACE FOR THEIR USE AND
REPLENISHMENT.

(J) STRENGTHEN EARLY WARNING, PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
NETWORKS

WFP AND PARTNERS WOULD WORK WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND
REGIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNET-BASED SYSTEM
THAT BRINGS TOGETHER UP-TO-DATE FORECASTING OF DROUGHTS,
CYCLONES AND OTHER HAZARDS FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA. THIS
WOULD INCLUDE ESTABLISHING COMMON HAZARD ALERT LEVELS. IN
ADDITION, THEY WOULD PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ENHANCE
AFRICAN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL CAPACITIES IN EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, CONTINGENCY AND OPERATIONAL PLANNING AND BUILD
PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN AFRICA TO PROMOTE SHARING OF
INFORMATION, HUMAN RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE AMONG COUNTRIES
BEFORE AND DURING FOOD CRISES.

IV. INVESTMENTS IN NUTRITION AND PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION

(K) ESTABLISH NUTRITIONAL MONITORING

MORE EFFECTIVE NUTRITIONAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS FOR SUB-
SAHARA AFRICA COULD PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION IN "NORMAL"
YEARS' AND IN TIMES OF CRISIS. AN INVESTMENT OF USD 11.4
MILLION, WITH ANNUAL RUNNING COSTS OF USD 1.9 MILLION, WOULD
ALLOW WFP TO WORK WITH NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER

ROME 00001958 005 OF 005

ICA. REPUTABLE
NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS/UNIVERSITIES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
COULD BE POTENTIAL COLLABORATORS, WHICH WOULD HELP ENSURE
SUSTAINABILITY.

(L) IMPROVE AND EXTEND NATIONAL CAPACITIES IN NUTRITION
INTERVENTION

WFP WOULD SEEK TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN EMERGENCY NUTRITION
ANALYSIS AND RESPONSE FOR NATIONAL COUNTERPARTS IN 38
COUNTRIES OVER FIVE YEARS. AN ESTIMATED USD 2 MILLION WOULD
BE REQUIRED FOR THIS EFFORT.

(M) FORTIFY FOOD WITH MICRONUTRIENTS

BUILDING AFRICAN CAPACITY TO FORTIFY FOOD WITH IMPORTANT
MICRONUTRIENTS WOULD HAVE DRAMATIC EFFECTS ON HEALTH,
PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY AND MORTALITY RATES IN THE REGION.
THESE EFFORTS, WHICH WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED USD 6.8
MILLION, WOULD INCLUDE WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO INVENTORY
MILLING AND FORTIFICATION CAPACITY BY COUNTRY; BUILD
ALLIANCES TO INCREASE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FORTIFICATION
ACTIVITIES; ESTABLISH SMALL-SCALE MILLS TO ADDRESS
MICRONUTRIENT NEEDS IN REMOTE AREAS; AND CREATE AND PILOT
MOBILE MILLS FOR USE IN SUDDEN ONSET AND REFUGEE
EMERGENCIES.

(N) GET CHILDREN TO SCHOOL

THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF AFRICA WILL DEPEND GREATLY ON A WELL
NOURISHED, EDUCATED AND SKILLED WORKFORCE. WFP WOULD LIKE
TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEPAD TO GET ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL-
AGED AFRICAN CHILDREN TO ATTEND SCHOOL THROUGH SUPPORT FOR
SCHOOL FEEDING ACTIVITIES. AN INITIAL ANNUAL INVESTMENT OF
USD 300 MILLION, TO BE GRADUALLY INCREASED TO USD 2 BILLION
ANNUALLY BY 2015, WOULD PERMIT WFP TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION
FOR ALL INITIATIVE BY EXPANDING SCHOOL FEEDING TO REACH MOST
OF THE 40-50 MILLION OUT-OF SCHOOL CHILDREN TO BENEFIT FROM
PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION. BY WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO
PROVIDE DEWORMING AND MOSQUITO NETS TO EACH CHILD AND
ENSURING THAT SCHOOLS HAVE CLEAN WATER AND HIV/AIDS
AWARENESS PROGRAMS, WFP WOULD ALSO PROMOTE CHILD HEALTH AND
ENSURE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT FULLY FROM THE
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF THEIR FOOD."
END TEXT OF WFP PROPOSALS.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


3. (SBU) IN US MISSION'S VIEW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF "QUICK
WINS" IN THESE WFP PROPOSALS, I.E., THE ABILITY TO MAKE
SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS WITH MODEST INVESTMENTS. WITH SOME 38-
40 MILLION AFRICANS IN 2003 LIVING WITH THE THREAT OF
STARVATION AND ANOTHER 156 MILLION WHO SUFFER QUIETLY THIS
YEAR FROM CHRONIC HUNGER, THE EVIAN G8 SUMMIT PRESENTS A
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO CEMENT A BROADER POLITICAL COMMITMENT
ON THE ISSUE OF AFRICAN HUNGER. HALL

NNNN
2003ROME01958 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED